Garbage and Rats in New York City Walking Tour
The Garbage and Rats in NYC Walking Tour is a unique dive into dirty subjects: -how New York City is built on trash; -how rats thrive on human consumption;
- and how NYC has dealt with both these filthy, disease-causing problems since 1626.
We'll learn about rat biology and habits, garbage disposal systems, metaphorical rats (i.e. - corrupt people), and gross stories featuring all of the above. This is the intersection of science and history at its finest!
The guide is a graduate of the New York City Trash Academy and a member of the New York City Rat Pack, "an elite squad of dedicated anti-rat activists." Rats, garbage, and New York City history are her passions!
Options
Garbage and Rats in New York City Walking Tour
What's included in Garbage and Rats in New York City Walking Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Wall Street
We will start on Wall Street and discuss its role as a garbage dump in Nieuw Amsterdam, as well as the official market for buying and renting enslaved African people.
South Street Seaport Historic District
As we walk up South Street, we will discuss the history of garbage, landfill, rats, and the former Fulton Street Fish Market. We will also stop at the former site of Sportsman's Hall, a notorious "rat pit," to talk about rat fights.
DeLury Square
We will visit DeLury Square and talk about the garbage strike of 1968, John DeLury, and the Sanitation Union. Then we shall stroll down the historic Ryder and Eden Alleys.
Inclusions
- This experience includes a guided walking tour.
- Bottled water
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- We will meet on the southeast corner of Wall Street and Pearl Street (in front of the Hyatt Hotel). The guide will have a sign for Off the Beaten Subway Track Walking Tours.
End Points
- (Optional) If we don't see any rats during the walking tour, participants may opt to continue for 20 minutes to Columbus Park, which is generally known for rat activity.
- The tour officially ends by the Tweed Courthouse, which is convenient to several subway stops.
